Finding Your Little Bit of Heaven

"Celestial reflection - alpine wilderness" ~ © Royce Bair (click for a larger view)

Everyone has or should have a place where they can find seclusion and solitude. A place of peace and beauty where they can feed their soul and recharge their inner batteries. For me that place is the High Unitas Wilderness in northeastern Utah.

This is also the closest place for me to find deep darkness for my NightScape photography. The above photo was taken on the western edge of this wilderness, at an unnamed lake near Hayden Pass (10,375 ft. / 3,162 m.). The red glow is light pollution from Salt Lake City metro area, 55 miles (89 km) away, although getting there is a 85-mile drive (about two hours) along I-80 and Scenic Byway SR 150.

Memories: Creating an image like this has been a dream of mine since I was 14 years old -- when my father took my cousin and I on our first backpacking trip into the Eagle Cap Wilderness of Oregon's Wallowa Mountains.

Photo Tour / Workshop: On Aug 2nd, I am conducting a one-evening "NightScape" workshop to some of my favorite locations in this area. For more details, go to my Meetup about this event.

Your own bit of heaven: For my friend, Jack Fusco, who leaves in New Jersey, that bit of heaven is found along the eastern coastal beaches near Cape May and Ocean City. I encourage you to find your own area of sky darkness and seclusion.

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